Date: 28 April 2024
Location: Pat & Carol
Thirteen bookers were present to discuss Voltaire’s satire Candide. Since this was the 30th anniversary of the Happy Bookers, we decided to reprise the first book that we read. This was Candide, selected by Merilyn, who wanted us to read some of the famous literary classics.
After reading the book again, several Bookers marveled that we actually continued with the club and read another book.
One of the members, John, planned to read the book in French. However, he was not able to attend the meeting, and we do not know if he succeeded in making it through the book in French.
Candide was Voltaire’s satire blasting the ideas of the German philosopher and mathematician Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz, who claimed that ours is the best of all possible worlds. In fact, the book’s Pangloss is supposedly a mocking caricature of Leibniz. While obviously greatly exaggerated, many of the ordeals that Candide went through were based on actual events and disasters.
As to our standard question: ‘How did the author treat women?’, we have to say ‘not too well’. However, he didn’t treat anyone very well.
None of the bookers said they actually liked the book, but a couple mentioned that the audio version was more enjoyable – and even funny at times.
— Bob
30th Anniversary Cake, Pat & Carol’s: 28 April 2024
Another Anniversary Cake